This regulation defines policy and review requirements to protect individuals with mental illness, mental retardation, and substance abuse or dependence problems who are participants in human research performed by facilities or programs operated, funded, or licensed by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

To protect the rights and health of the participants in human research conducted in the public mental health system.To ensure that participation in human research is voluntary and entered into with adequate knowledge of the research procedures, risks, and benefits.To minimize the costs and intrusiveness of the administrative procedures to research organizations and the citizens of Virginia.